Monday marked the start of the second week of a Yakima man’s murder trial in the death of off-duty Vancouver police Officer Donald Sahota. First responders took the stand to describe their unsuccessful efforts to save Sahota’s life.
Julio Segura, 22, is accused of stabbing Sahota multiple times as the two struggled in Sahota’s Battle Ground driveway in January 2022. Moments later, Clark County sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Feller arrived and mistakenly shot Sahota. Although the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office found Sahota died from the gunshot wounds, an autopsy determined his stab wounds were life-threatening.
Prosecutors argue Segura’s actions caused Sahota’s death. He is charged in Clark County Superior Court with three counts of first-degree murder and one count each of attempted first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted first-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and attempt to elude a pursuing police vehicle.
Vancouver police Sgt. Rocky Epperson choked up as he described being the first to reach Sahota on the porch and assess his injuries. He detailed the first aid he provided until paramedics arrived and when he realized the person he was helping was Sahota, not Segura, a robbery suspect.
